Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery (NiMH)

Definition - What does Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery (NiMH) mean?

Nickel-metal hydride battery (NiMH) is a type of rechargeable battery commonly used in many laptop computers, as well in mobile phones, camcorders and other electronic devices.

The negative electrode of the NiMH battery is made from a hydrogen-absorbing alloy and sometimes many different inter-metallic compounds. The positive electrode is made of nickel-oxide hydroxide, the same as in Apple Nickel-Cadmium batteries.

First released in 1989, NiMH batteries have two to three times greater charge capacity and up to 40 percent longer service life than standard nickel-cadmium batteries.

Techopedia explains Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery (NiMH)

First released in 1989, NiMH batteries have two to three times greater charge capacity and up to 40 percent longer service life than standard nickel-cadmium batteries. Instead of cadmium, the negative electrode is made from a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, and many different inter-metallic compounds may be used. The positive electrode is made of nickel-oxide hydroxide as in NiCd batteries.

NiMH batteries are not expensive and perform like non-chargeable alkaline primary cells. In digital cameras and other high drain electronic devices, NiMH batteries actually outperform alkaline primary cells, as well as many other batteries.